Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - Mecca And The Soul Brother

Mecca And The Soul Brother followed on the heels of their EP All Souled Out, released in 1991. Despite being a critical success,
it had little commercial success in comparison to other noteworthy releases of 1992, such as Dr. Dre's The Chronic.
CL Smooth's dexterous lyrics were a suitable match for Rock's jazzy, sampled-laden soundscapes. The first single,
"They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)", a dedication to their fallen friend and back up dancer for Heavy D, "Trouble" T. Roy,
has gone on to become not only their signature hit, but also one of hip hop's most highly regarded songs.

Other topics on the album range from life in the ghetto ("Ghettos of the Mind"), the teachings of the Nation of Islam
("Anger in the Nation"), bootlegging ("Straighten It Out"), and the self-explanatory "Lots of Lovin'"
(the third single to be released from the album). At 77 minutes, it's a lengthy album, and the large number of songs is
tempered by brief musical interludes - a theme Pete Rock would repeat on the duo's second album, and on his own solo albums.

Mecca And The Soul Brother brought a lot of acclaim to the duo they were often compared to the group Gang Starr,
which also featured one MC, and a producer/DJ. Although it garnered a lot of praise, sales were slow.
The group only grew more popular, however, and next appeared on the Menace II Society soundtrack,
followed by Who's the Man?, and Poetic Justice, respectively before returning in 1994, with The Main Ingredient.

In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.

Tracklist:

01. Return Of The Mecca (5:44)
02. For Pete's Sake (5:54)
03. Ghettos Of The Mind (5:03)
04. Lots Of Lovin (5:09)
05. Act Like You Know (4:03)
06. Straighten It Out (4:13)
07. Soul Brother #1 (4:30)
08. Wig Out (4:07)
09. Anger In The Nation (5:33)
10. They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) (4:46)
11. On And On (5:12)
12. It's Like That (3:57)
13. Can't Front On Me (4:16)
14. The Basement (feat. Heavy D, Robo-O, Grap & Dida) (5:26)
15. If It Ain't Rough, It Ain't Right (5:05)
16. Skinz (feat. Grand Puba) (4:15)